Share your input about sidewalk vendors

The Eastsound Plan and Review Committee (EPRC) has been asked to contribute to and gather public input on whether or not sidewalk vendors in Eastsound should be required to get a permit from San Juan County that would determine where and how they can sell their goods.

At the EPRC Open House on May 4 at the Senior Center at 4:30 p.m., EPRC will be gathering public input on this topic. Should it be determined in the future that a permit is required, this input will contribute to the contents of a related county ordinance. Please attend and make your opinions known and see as well all of the interesting presentations.

Bob Connell

EPRC

Teacher and staff appreciation week

May 3 through 9 is National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. The PTSA encourages you to take the time to thank the wonderful teachers and school staff personnel in our community, especially as they work so hard to provide the exceptional services they do during difficult economic times. The PTSA held its annual Teacher-Staff Appreciation Lunch at the public school a bit early this year, and would like to thank the many volunteers and local businesses who helped make the event such a wonderful celebration. Special thanks to Michele Keyes, who coordinated and oversaw the entire event with wonderful enthusiasm, organization and flexibility. Thank you to the many, many parents who brought dishes for the lunch. Your generosity makes this all possible! Extra thanks to Karin Flattery, Michelle Kostechko, Kristen Wilson, Kim Wareham, Hilary Canty and Carla Stanley for staffing and/or decorations, and to Liz Hance for coordinating the many generous raffle donations from the following local businesses and individuals: West Beach Resort, Kim and Ian Wareham, Ray’s Pharmacy, erb’s Restaurant, Thai Sisters, Teezer’s, The Nest, Rose’s Bakery, Eastsound Sporting Goods, and Poppie’s Yarns. Please take the time to thank these businesses for their support. Finally, thank you teachers and staff for all you do on behalf of our kids!

Barb Skotte, PTSA President

Eastsound

Big thanks to Martin Arnold

I arrived on the island on April 14, and after a much-anticipated stop at The Exchange, went straight to the library. Oblivious to the fact that I left my van’s headlights on, I went in and ran into a friend. We talked for some time, all the while my battery was draining! Once I discovered this, I asked for help from the staff – someone with a mid- to large-size vehicle, so I could have a jump.

Martin came to the rescue with the jump I needed. But once we got my van started I managed to lock myself out … with my keys in the ignition and the engine running. How frustrating!

Martin was kind, helpful and patient with me, even while I was swearing and cursing under my breath (and getting shaky for need of eating) at the situation. With his help, I managed to get back inside, and all was well.

With all that is going on the world today, I am so very grateful that people like Martin – people who are willing to help others in times of need with little thought of themselves – are still here on the island (and in the world in general).

It is with the most sincere gratitude that I offer many, many thanks. May we all be so blessed by the kindness of others, and may we all remember that helping others in the spirit of kindness is the only balm that will soothe the human condition in times to come.

Toli Milam

Orcas Island

Thank you to Community Church

I would like to thank the Community Church for providing a new home for the Food Bank in Eastsound. I also want to thank the pastors of all of the churches on Orcas for taking the initiative in finding a food Bank building for the patrons and volunteers, especially the pastors and members of the Community Church and of the Episcopal Church.

I am sure that most islanders don’t realize what conditions the volunteers and the patrons at the Mt. Baker Road building endured this winter with the freezing temperatures, cold winds and snow and ice. The building was not heated and was too small for the patrons to wait inside. There were mothers with babies as young as two months old up to school age children. Many patrons don’t have cars and either get rides or walk. It was excruciatingly difficult. The volunteers fared little better, yet they were always kind, welcoming, cheerful, helpful, compassionate, and respectful. They are true heroes!

Orcas Islanders need to know that as the economy slumps, more people are compelled to use the Food Bank. How we, as a community, respond to our fellow islanders is a reflection of our faith and our personal character. It is all in James: 2: 1-26.

I have noticed the absence of seniors, who apparently don’t have rides to the food Bank. There are people who are disabled who need rides and have to rely on hitching. Perhaps the Senior Center could provide a bus for seniors who need a ride. Individuals making the time to help the disabled and others with rides to and from the food bank would be a start in truly caring for each other.

I urge us all to step out of our everyday world and contemplate what we are doing to make our community a soft, caring, compassionate, loving, safe place to be. “It is in giving that we receive, it is in loving that we are loved.” Thank you, Community Church, for living the message.

Spirit Eagle

Orcas Island

Thanks for Rosario garage sale

The Rosario Community “Garage” sale was a huge success. Thank you to all those who participated in this sale that was held at the Discovery House on Saturday, April 18.

Thank you to the vendors who placed their treasures on display and welcomed the community of Orcas Island. We have no idea how many people came to purchase merchandise, but it was a huge crowd that packed the Discovery House for several hours.

Thank you to Rosario Resort who donated the Discovery House for this sale and to Orcas Events for their involvement. We are very grateful to Paul Carrick who served barbecue ribs and other delicious food during the sale.

Paul will donate all of his proceeds and many vendors will donate some of their proceeds to the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk held later this year. Many of the vendors also donated merchandise to a future garage sale on Saturday, May 2 that will be held to support programs that prevent domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Most of all, thank you to the people of the community who came prepared to buy what you liked and needed. This Rosario community sale reflects the spirit and cooperative attitude that prevails on Orcas Island.

Karen Ritter

Orcas Island

Response to EWSD letter

I have been accused by ESWD of writing a letter to the editor about a “nefarious” scheme by Country Corner. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact my letter said, “Country Corner is completely innocent and has been completely open.” Actually, Country Corner is only a pawn in their game. ESWD pointed out in their letter that they have been planning for years to extend the sewer line to the Country Corner area. What has been preventing them from doing it so far? The rules and money have been in their way. They must follow a preset path in order to extend the sewer line.

There are two options available to them: 1.) They must show proof of a health concern or environmental damage or 2.) A LAMIRD must be created and then a developer with money within the LAMIRD must ask for the line to be brought in.

ESWD cannot use option one because there is no proof. (Proof is hard to come by when there is no problem.) ESWD is pursuing option two and so far they have two of their ducks in a row: they have a developer who will request that the line be brought in. The developer will provide the initial funds required to bring in the line, after which he will be reimbursed by subsequent hook-ups. All that is needed now for ESWD to proceed is the creation of the LAMIRD.

Is this a nefarious plot? It might seem so to people in the neighborhood, but it is the process by which ESWD hopes to be able to extend the sewer line and complete the plans that they formed long ago. This process is not yet complete. In a poll of lot owners within the LAMIRD area, 80 percent rejected the LAMIRD. Planner Colin Maycock said, “This isn’t about what I want to do, it needs to be what the neighborhood wants.”

ESWD has two options: 1.) Get proof that their line is needed for some other reason than to facilitate the expansion of commercial interests, or 2.) Wait five or so years and try to create a LAMIRD again. Will they still have a developer with money then?

How long does Country Corner want to truck their laundry waste to the ESWD treatment plant every day? Is ESWD giving Country Corner special consideration to encourage them to be the developer with the money? While we might consider that nefarious, I’ll bet ESWD and Country Corner consider it to be fortuitous.

Chris Butler

Orcas Island

No LAMIRD is right choice

Regarding the proposed LAMIRD, neighbors within it are nearly unanimous in their objection; see signed petition. A LAMIRD will cause expansion and proliferation of businesses, ruining the rural environment, read Urban Sprawl.

To claim that residents wishing the area remain rural is “irresponsible” is ludicrous. Residents don’t want their neighborhood transformed into a Light Industrial Park. Let’s look at what the LAMRD will create: 1.) A nearby 10-acre parcel, approximately 100 yards from the Shell station, zoned 12 units per acre, will be

developed. Neighbors will enjoy 120 units in their laps! 2.) More businesses requiring more water, more sewer. 3.) The intersection moves from country normal to “the busiest!” 4.) With industrial/commercial yards nearby, every homeowner will enjoy reduction of property values. 5.) Sewers increase taxes. Even if a neighbor were

to throw themselves on the mercy of the Sewer District for “deal” based on poverty, here’s the proposed fee: $100 every month for the rest of one’s life (or 20 years, whichever is shorter!), that’s a tax of $1200 a year for a “service””not needed. NO LAMRID in this area is the most responsible way to manage growth because the area remains R-5. Businesses would operate at present levels.

Hear neighbor’s concern: Storm water of Buck Mountain. This is the PRIMARY concern of this neighborhood. The county should fix that before allowing more intense development!

A couple questions: What happens to sewage when the sewer plant has a failure? Does someone call and ask that the toilet not be flushed? How much water does it take to operate the sewer plant? Lastly, why did these “neighbors” move to Orcas in the first place when they could have stayed where they were and enjoyed all the commercial and industrial sprawl of the mainland?

Mel Shapiro

Eastsound

Response to “Earth cooling” letter

When I saw a letter to the editor on April 15 suggesting that the Earth was on a cooling trend, I had to check to see if I had picked up the Flounder and not the Sounder! Most of what was presented in that letter is inaccurate. Average annual global temperatures are not falling. Calling the trend from 1998 to 2008 a cooling trend is like noting that it was 69 degrees in Eastsound on April 6 and 52 degrees on April 12 and concluding that winter must be fast approaching! Last year was the eighth warmest year in history. The 10 warmest years in history have all occurred in the last 12 years! As a geologist, I can tell you that you would be hard pressed to find a scientist who would deny that global warming is occurring. While variations in sunspot activity, Earth’s orbit and wobble, volcanism, and other natural phenomena do have an impact on Earth’s temperatures, the global warming we are experiencing correlates negatively with these natural phenomena but correlates positively with the dramatic additions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Yes, hundreds of millions of years ago it was much warmer and sea level was many tens of meters higher, but let’s not wish for that because even a likely one- or two-meter rise in sea level will displace tens to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

There is near unanimity among global climate change scientists that the greenhouse gases being pumped into the atmosphere are the major cause of this rapid global warming and that the warming will accelerate if we do nothing about it. Scientists have documented that species ranges of plants and animals in our hemisphere are migrating northward an average of 6.1 kilometers per decade, spring events (flowering, egg-laying, etc.) are occuring 2.3 days earlier per decade, glaciers worldwide are melting dramatically, the north polar ice cap is shrinking and will soon disappear, ice shelves in Antarctica are disintegrating, and sea level is rising. Pretending there is no problem is not the solution.

Jonathan H. Berg

Eastsound

Finding alternative energy

Secretary Salazar is doing what she needs to do but this has provoked a backlash by the oil and gas industries.

We all need to keep up our commitment and activities to continue the large job of finding alternative and/or renewable energy so that the proponents of nuclear, coal and destroying of public land will not succeed. Obama’s winning of the election is just the beginning of this fight.

Mary Hatten

Eastound

MAIN HED: OPALCO election

Support for Winnie Adams

The OPALCO Board will be holding elections at its annual meeting on May 16. These elections are very important, as the board of OPALCO determines the vision and strategies for the future of our electric utility. If you are unable to vote in person please be sure to vote by mail. All members of the utility will be mailed a ballot in early May.

Now is a moment in history where we have the opportunity to make decisions that will shape the future. Winnie Adams possesses the leadership to made those decisions. Therefore, I support Winnie Adams for the OPALCO Board, District #2 Orcas. Her background and experience will allow her to facilitate productive community process. She has spent over 30 years on Orcas and Waldron Island and appreciates the value of community input and community process.

Winnie has developed relationships with our legislative representatives in Olympia and can be effective in representing our utility at the state level. The most important reason why I am supporting Winnie Adams is because of her inspired can-do attitude. I know she will work towards green energy, promote sustainable local

generation, conservation and quality infrastructure. I will vote for Winnie Adams for the OPALCO Board. I am confident that she will effectively represent our community and help lead our electric utility towards a green future.

Mindy Kayl

Crow Valley

Armstrong – a candidate for OPALCO Board

The elections for directors to OPALCO provide an opportunity for cooperative members to select individuals who bring diverse skills and experience to OPALCO’s Board of Directors. I am pleased to be a candidate for election to that board.

I have lived on Orcas Island for 32 years, raised four children here, and worked. As I have watched our community grow, I have seen OPALCO respond to the increasing needs for reliable and affordable energy. It made great strides reducing power outages and the resultant manpower expense through the laying of underground cables. Under wise management, it has done an excellent job of securing and distributing affordable, pollution free hydroelectric energy from the Bonneville Power Administration.

These next years will bring new challenges to OPALCO. They will require an engaged and knowledgeable Board committed to preserving affordability through continued focus on conservation and advancement in technology and wise consideration the power choices that must be made as San Juan County’s energy needs increase and the supply of hydroelectric energy reaches capacity.

While expertise in engineering, energy technology, and business are definite assets needed on the Board, strong connections to the community and commitment to represent community interests are important too. I have served on diverse boards and worked professionally as the founder and director of Orcas Montessori Preschool, the director of Children’s House Family Resource Center, and director of Orcas Island Prevention Partnership and Orcas Readiness to Learn.

I bring a lively intelligence, an ability to listen and work cooperatively with others, and a passion for protecting our environment. I would be honored and excited to work as a director for OPALCO, bringing positive leadership and a strong work ethic to the issues that OPALCO will address in the coming years. Thank you for considering me as a candidate. You may vote by returning your ballot enclosed in the annual report of by coming to the annual meeting on May 16.

Moriah Armstrong

Orcas Island

Support for Jeffrey Struthers

We are writing to voice our support for Jeffrey Struthers as a candidate for the OPALCO Board of Directors. We know Jeff as a neighbor and friend. The energy-efficient house he designed and is building by himself is incredible – a testimony to his ability to apply a deep knowledge of energy issues in a practical way. As a member of our road association, he is always thoughtful, a good listener and hard worker. He is an engineer and MBA with high-level experience in shaping U.S. renewable energy, conservation, and R&D policy. It would be hard to find a more qualified person to help OPALCO’s board navigate the interesting times that lie ahead as it works to ensure a clean, reliable, and affordable supply of electricity for all OPALCO members.

Craig Canine and Molly Coxe

Eastsound

MAIN HED:

Moran Clean-up Day

Thank you to Friends of Moran and volunteers

I would like to thank the Friends of Moran and the numerous volunteers who came out Saturday, April 18 to help with the annual spring clean up at Moran. The weather was great, and 40 energetic people showed up to get the campgrounds and swim beach areas spruced up for the summer visitors. Work started early with the Friends volunteers getting the coffee going and setting out tools and assignments. They started a warming fire at the picnic shelter, and midway through the day they provided lunch and refreshments to the hard working volunteers. When the day wound down we had logged over 115 volunteer work hours and were well on our way to getting all areas opened for the summer. We could not have done it without the support of the Friends of Moran and the many islanders who turned out to help. Thank you all.

Jim Schuh

Park Manager,

Moran State Park

Thank you to volunteers

What more could one ask for? Good weather, good food and good workers at the annual Friends of Moran State Park Clean-Up Day, April 18. Thanks to the 35 or so workers who turned out to help Park Ranger Jim Shuh and crew rake, shovel, haul limbs, wash windows and picnic tables at the shelters and camp sites in the Park last Saturday. Thanks also to Carla Stanley and Marian O’Brien for signage and posters, Ken Speck and Pat Muffett for the great lunch, and to Jason Linnes and Island Market for the picnic supplies. With the budget cuts for State Parks, the help of volunteers is more important than ever towards maintaining our precious resource for locals as well as visitors to the island.

Karen Speck

Orcas Island

Thank you from Micki Ryan

I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the Orcas community for your enthusiastic support of the Orcas Island Historical Museum during my tenure these past two and a half years, and also to those who have offered their sympathy and support in the loss of my daughter this week. Sarah shared my love of the museum and of Orcas Island.

So many of you volunteered for events when called – baking pies and slinging hot dogs for Historical Day, minding the store, greeting the visitors, leading tours of the museum, tidying up for seasonal openings, captivating audiences who traveled out to the Crow Valley School Museum, preparing the Camp Orkila hall for our annual dinner, bringing in fascinating items for the Burke Museum’s Artifact Identification Day, attending workshops, jumping in to help with beach and farm picnics, with the around-island historical cruise, in documenting and preserving the collections, and so many more activities. What more fitting event to end my wonderful time at the museum than the excellent and exciting Antiques Evaluation Fair held earlier in April at the Grange! You have brought so many island treasures into the museum for exhibit and study; you have collected and preserved the island’s unique stories, and you have provided extremely generous funding to see that the island’s treasures are properly cared for in a clean, new facility.

My thanks to those who even came in to work or visit when I shivered in the footsteps of Jen and Ann in the freezing old office space among the log cabins, and those who contributed to setting up the bright new museum office, archives and collections care center. Jonathan Loop’s beautiful quilted native wood table donated to the office is a new treasure for future generations.

Equally treasured are the wonderful business people in Eastsound who shared their smiles and expertise daily. I will miss you all! Please keep telling those stories and passing them on, treasure your island history and your one-of-a-kind island museum. It was a genuine pleasure to serve as your museum director/curator since 2006. Please remember I am in the book, and hope to hear from you as pretty little Grace, the long-haired dachshund, and I reacquaint ourselves with our home island, Lopez.

Micki Ryan

Former Director/Curator

Orcas Island Historical Museum